How To Talk to Teens about Really Important Things: Specific Questions and Answers and Useful Things To Say.

Schaefer, Charles E.; DiGeronimo, Theresa Foy

For parents of teenagers, talking about sex, drugs, lifestyle choices, AIDS, and divorce can be one of life's toughest challenges. This books serves as a guide for those who have found themselves ill prepared and ill at ease when discussing some of life's most important issues with teens. The book also helps to bridge the gap in parent-teen communication. It is divided into three chapters. Each chapter offers a collection of advice, information, and sample dialogues that are based on years of clinical practice, parental experience, and scholarly research. The chapters also provide suggestions for further reading on each topic covered. The introduction of this book discusses why and how parents should talk to their kids. Parents are encouraged to be brief, be clear, and respect their children's view. Part One: "Major Crises" discusses divorce, the death of a loved one, and date rape. Part Two: "Forewarnings," examines the following issues: alcohol and drinking and driving; dangers on the World Wide Web; drug abuse; HIV/AIDS; sex, contraception, and pregnancy; sexually transmitted diseases; and tattoos and body piercing. Part Three: "Concerns of Teens" examines competition; cults; depression; ethics, moral values, and religion; gangs; homosexuality; pornography; prejudice; puberty; and violence. A list of notes by chapter and information on the authors are provided. (MKA)